Daily Current Affairs : 14-August-2024
The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021 is an important law aimed at regulating and standardizing education and practices in allied and healthcare professions in India. The Act provides a framework for overseeing various healthcare roles that support the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients, such as technicians, therapists, and nutritionists. The Supreme Court has recently given a two-month deadline to the central and state governments to fully implement the provisions of this Act.
Key Features of the NCAHP Act
The Act brings significant changes to how healthcare professionals are trained and regulated. Below are some of the key features:
- Allied Health Professionals: These are technicians, associates, or technologists who support diagnosis and treatment. They must have a diploma or degree, with training lasting at least 2,000 hours.
- Healthcare Professionals: This includes therapists, scientists, and other professionals involved in providing preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services. They must have a degree with at least 3,600 hours of training.
- National Commission: The Act establishes a commission to oversee the profession, which includes members from the central government and various health bodies. The commission will create a central register of qualified professionals, set standards for education, and maintain a list of approved courses.
- State Councils: Each state must set up its own allied health council to maintain a state register and enforce the rules set by the national body.
Why the Supreme Court’s Intervention?
Despite the NCAHP Act being in effect for several years, many provisions have yet to be fully implemented. Only 14 out of 28 states have set up state councils, and these are not operating effectively. The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the lack of progress, as it has led to:
- Inconsistent qualifications across healthcare professionals.
- Unregulated institutions providing substandard training.
- Rising numbers of unapproved courses affecting patient care.
The Court has ordered that the Health Ministry convene a meeting to create an implementation roadmap. Both the Union and State governments must ensure all provisions of the Act are in place within two months.
The Importance of Implementation
Timely implementation of the NCAHP Act is crucial for the healthcare system in India. It will help:
- Standardize qualifications and training for allied and healthcare professionals.
- Ensure better quality of care for patients.
- Prevent the rise of unqualified or undertrained practitioners.
By implementing the Act, India can improve healthcare delivery and ensure that healthcare professionals meet high standards.
Important Points:
- NCAHP Act, 2021 aims to regulate and standardize education and practices in allied and healthcare professions in India.
- The Act establishes a National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions to oversee policies, qualifications, and professional conduct.
- Key healthcare professionals covered include:
- Allied Health Professionals: Technicians and technologists supporting diagnosis and treatment, with at least 2,000 hours of training.
- Healthcare Professionals: Therapists, scientists, and others providing preventive, therapeutic, or rehabilitative care, with at least 3,600 hours of training.
- The National Commission will create and maintain a central register of qualified professionals and set standards for education, courses, and training.
- State Councils must be set up by each state to manage a state register and enforce national standards.
- State permission is required to establish new healthcare institutions or increase student intake. Failure to comply means qualifications will not be recognized.
- Penalties for practicing without registration: A fine of Rs. 50,000 for unregistered professionals.
- Supreme Court Intervention: The Court directed the central and state governments to fully implement the Act within two months due to slow progress in its enforcement.
- Challenges: Only 14 out of 28 states have set up state councils, and many are not fully functional, leading to inconsistent qualifications and unregulated training institutions.
- Deadline: The Supreme Court has instructed the Health Ministry to convene a meeting within two weeks to create a roadmap for implementation.
Why In News
The Supreme Court has given the Centre and state governments a two-month deadline to implement the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, emphasizing the urgent need for standardization and regulation across the healthcare sector to ensure better quality care for patients.
MCQs about NCAHP Act, 2021
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What is the primary goal of the NCAHP Act, 2021?
A. To increase the number of healthcare institutions
B. To regulate and standardize education and practices in allied and healthcare professions
C. To create more job opportunities for healthcare professionals
D. To provide free healthcare services to all citizens
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Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions under the NCAHP Act?
A. Creating a central register of healthcare professionals
B. Establishing new healthcare institutions
C. Setting standards for educational courses and training
D. Overseeing professional conduct
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How many states have set up State Councils as required by the NCAHP Act?
A. 28
B. 14
C. 12
D. 7
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What penalty is imposed on healthcare professionals who practice without being registered under the NCAHP Act?
A. Suspension of medical license
B. Fine of Rs. 50,000
C. Jail sentence for up to 6 months
D. Reprimand from the National Commission
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